Piece of jewellery

ABSTRACT

In the case of a piece of jewelry with a jewelry body ( 1 ) and at least one jewelry insert ( 4 ) which has a channel opening ( 10 ) into which is inserted a fastening pin ( 7 ) which, for the purpose of fastening the jewelry insert ( 4 ) in the jewelry body ( 1 ), protrudes out of the jewelry insert ( 4 ) at least one end and into a first recess ( 8 ) of the jewelry body ( 1 ), a secure and easily maneuverable fastening of the jewelry insert to the jewelry body can be realised in that the first recess ( 8 ) is a threaded passage hole through which the fastening pin ( 7 ), which is designed as a rigid threaded pin, can be screwed and, by means of a section ( 9 ) which protrudes through the threaded passage hole ( 8 ), protrudes into the channel opening ( 10 ).

The invention relates to a piece of jewelry with a jewelry body and atleast one jewelry insert which has a channel opening into which isinserted a fastening pin which, for the purpose of fastening the jewelryinsert in the jewelry body, protrudes out of the jewelry insert at leastone end and into a first recess of the jewelry body.

Pieces of jewelry are generally designed with a jewelry body whichgenerally determines the shape and possibility of use of the piece ofjewelry as ring, pendant, brooch, chain or the like. The jewelry body isfrequently provided with a jewelry insert which can be formed by aprecious stone, semi-precious stone, a piece of precious metal or thelike. The jewelry insert may be composed of the jewelry element itself,however the jewelry element is frequently mounted in a setting whichforms the jewelry insert.

Whereas, in conventional technology, the jewelry insert is connectedfixedly to the jewelry body, for example by means of adhesive bonding,jewelry inserts have for some time frequently been connected releasablyto the jewelry body. For example, it is known by means of U.S. Pat. No.3,959,989 to fasten a planar jewelry element for a finger ring to thering body by means of a spring pin which protrudes through a passagechannel of the jewelry element and can snap into blind bores of the ringbody.

A similar technique is known by means of DE 70 26 255 U1 for the designof a wrist watch strap formed from metal links. In this case, therecesses which serve to receive the resilient ends of the resilientfastening pin can be designed as passage holes, and therefore theresilient end of the fastening pin can be pressed in with the aid of anelongate tool, for example in the form of a pin, which is insertedthrough a passage hole such that the connection produced by thefastening pin can be released with the aid of the tool.

However, the handling of a resilient fastening pin requires a fairamount of skill and is an obstacle to the purpose of the releasablefastening of the jewelry insert to the jewelry body, namely for beingable to use different jewelry inserts for the same jewelry body, becausethe non-expert owner of the piece of jewelry may have problems withinterchanging the jewelry insert.

The invention is therefore based on the object of designing a piece ofjewelry of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a manner that areleasable, but nevertheless secure fastening of the jewelry insert tothe jewelry body is possible, which fastening, furthermore, is simple tobring about.

To achieve this object, according to the invention a piece of jewelry ofthe type mentioned at the beginning is characterized in that the firstrecess is a threaded passage hole through which the fastening pin, whichis designed as a rigid threaded pin, can be screwed and, by means of asection which protrudes through the threaded passage hole, protrudesinto the channel opening.

In the case of the piece of jewelry according to the invention, thefastening by means of resilient elements is therefore dispensed with. Onthe contrary, it takes place by means of a rigid fastening pin which isprovided with an external thread and is screwed by means of saidexternal thread through a threaded passage hole of the jewelry bodybefore it protrudes into the channel opening. That section of thethreaded pin which protrudes into the channel opening brings about thefastening, for example in interaction with a receiving opening in thejewelry body for the jewelry insert.

A stable fastening by means of the threaded pin on its own is achievedif the channel opening of the jewelry insert is a passage opening, andthe fastening pin protrudes into a second recess of the jewelry body bymeans of an end which protrudes through the jewelry insert. In thiscase, it is of importance, for the fastening security, that the threadedpin is already screwed down on the side on which it is inserted into thejewelry body. If the threaded pin is provided with a thread, for exampleover at least half of its length, a multiplicity of revolutions of thethreaded pin is required in order to loosen the latter to an extent suchthat it again releases the jewelry insert. It is virtually impossible inthis case to inadvertently lose the jewelry insert from the jewelrybody.

In the embodiment with the second recess, it is not necessary for thelatter also be designed as a threaded hole. On the contrary, it ispreferred for the second recess to be of smooth-walled design. Thisembodiment can be used in order to bring about a screw-in limitation ofthe threaded pin by that end of the threaded pin which protrudes throughthe jewelry insert being designed with a reduced diameter, and thesecond recess having a correspondingly reduced diameter in relation tothe passage channel opening of the jewelry insert. In this case, theshoulder formed by the reduction in diameter can form a screw-in stopfor the fastening pin.

The fastening pin is preferably provided on one side with an actuatingdevice, preferably in the form of an engagement slot for a screwdriver.As a result, the threaded pin can be fully screwed in the manner of aheadless screw into the first recess, thus enabling the threaded pin tobe arranged in the piece of jewelry inconspicuously such that it doesnot interfere with the design of the piece of jewelry.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the jewelry insert can be ofcylindrical design with a cylinder axis and can be insertable into acorresponding, concentric, cylindrical opening of the jewelry body, withthe channel opening being oriented perpendicularly to the cylinder axis.For precise orientation of the channel opening in such a manner that thechannel opening is in alignment with the at least one recess, preferablywith both of the recesses of the jewelry body, it is expedient if thecylindrical jewelry insert and the cylindrical opening are designed insuch a manner that the jewelry insert is mounted in a rotationally fixedmanner in the opening, thus resulting in an automatic, correctadjustment of the jewelry insert relative to at least the first recessor to both of the recesses. This is possible, for example, by means ofthe use of a noncircular cross section for the jewelry insert and recessor by means of studs or lugs which are provided on the jewelry insertand can be pushed into an associated groove in the receptacle.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the jewelry body can haveat least one flange-like angled portion in which the threaded passagehole is located. For a design with a second recess, a furtherflange-like angled portion which is parallel to the angled portion andhas the second recess can be provided. In this embodiment, the threadedpin runs perpendicularly to the ring access.

The shape of the jewelry insert can have numerous variants, inparticular if two flange-like angled portions are provided. In additionto cylindrical shapes with circular and polygonal cross sections, usemay also be made of spherical, oval and similar jewelry inserts.

The invention is to be explained in more detail below with reference toexemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an enlarged and schematic illustration of a ring with ajewelry insert in the form of a setting for a jewelry stone, in a sideview;

FIG. 2 shows the ring according to FIG. 1, in a plan view;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective, exploded illustration of the ring accordingto FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a view of a threaded pin;

FIG. 5 shows a section through the height of the ring in the region ofthe recesses for the fastening pin;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a piece of jewelry with two mutuallyopposite angled portions having a first recess and a second recess forreceiving a fastening pin;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of various shapes of jewelryinserts for a ring designed according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows an illustration of differently sized jewelry inserts for aring according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows an illustration of different jewelry bodies for realizingthe invention on a ring, on a bracelet, on a pendant fastened on achain, and as earrings.

FIG. 1 shows a piece of jewelry with a jewelry body 1 in the form of aring, in a side view. The ring 1 is provided at one point with a radial,cylindrical receiving opening 2 which extends over the thickness of thematerial of the ring 1. A cylindrical extension 3 of a jewelry insert 4in the form of a setting for a jewelry stone (not illustrated) isinserted into the cylindrical receiving opening 2. The ring 1, which isdesigned here in the shape of a circular ring, has a ring axis 5 towhich a central axis 6 of the cylindrical extension 3 or of the jewelryinsert 4 runs perpendicularly. A fastening pin 7 in the form of athreaded pin is inserted through the ring 1 in the cylindrical extension3 parallel to the ring axis. On its end side, the threaded pin 7 isprovided with a slot 7′ which permits, in a customary manner, theengagement of a matching screwdriver such that the threaded pin 7 can berotated by means of a screwdriver.

The plan view of FIG. 2 shows the cylindrical receiving opening 2 inwhich the axis 6 of the cylindrical extension 3 of the setting 4 runscentrally. Perpendicularly thereto, there is a first recess 8 in thematerial of the ring 1, which recess is provided with an internal threadand through which the fastening pin 7, which is provided with theexternal thread, is screwed such that it protrudes by means of a section9 into a channel opening 10 of the cylindrical extension 3.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the channel opening 10 is apassage channel opening which, on the side lying opposite the firstrecess 8, is in alignment with a second recess 11 which is likewisedesigned as passage opening, but is of smooth-walled design, i.e. doesnot have an internal thread. The fastening pin 7 protrudes into thesecond recess 11 at its free end.

Since the receiving opening 2 of the ring 1 and the cylindricalextension 3 of the setting 4 both have circular-cylindrical crosssections, the setting 4 could be inserted into the receiving opening 2in any random rotational position which would not ensure that thechannel opening 10 would be aligned with the first recess 8 and thesecond recess 11. In order to avoid handling disadvantages arising as aresult, the cylindrical extension 3 is provided on its casing wall withtwo diametrically opposite lugs 12 which engage in corresponding,upwardly open guide grooves 13 in the ring material and thus ensure thatthe cylindrical extension 3 is inserted in a rotationally fixed mannerin the receiving opening 2. The guide grooves 13 extend only over partof the height of the material of the ring 1 and end above the tworecesses 8, 11 in the ring 1.

The perspective, exploded illustration of FIG. 3 clarifies that thesetting 4 with the cylindrical extension 3 is inserted into thereceiving opening in the direction of the arrow A in such a manner thatthe lugs 12 are inserted into the upwardly open guide grooves 13. Sincethe upwardly open guide grooves 13 are downwardly closed, they form atthe same time a stop for the push-in movement in the direction of thearrow A. The positioning of the lugs 12 in the guide grooves 13 ensuresthat the first recess 8 and the second recess 11 are aligned with thechannel opening 10 (not illustrated in FIG. 3) provided in thecylindrical extension 3. The fastening pin 7 is subsequently introducedinto the first recess 8 by being screwed in by means of the slot 7′ inorder to fasten the jewelry insert 4. The screw-in movement is limitedby the section 15 of reduced diameter in conjunction with the secondrecess. The screw-in movement of the screw 7 is clarified by the arrow Bin FIG. 3. After the fastening pin 7 is screwed in, the ring illustratedis connected fixedly to its jewelry insert 4 and is therefore completed.

FIG. 4 clarifies the arrangement described in the ring 1, illustratedwithout the setting 4 inserted. FIG. 3 furthermore shows the fasteningpin 7 which is provided over virtually its entire length with itsexternal thread 14 which extends from an end which is provided with theactuating slot 7′. Only at the opposite end does the fastening pin 7have a section 15 with a reduced diameter and without an externalthread. The diameter of the section 15 is matched to the diameter of thesecond recess 11 of the ring body.

The sectional illustration of FIG. 5 shows the guide grooves 13 whichare open towards the upper side and end above the first recess 8, whichis provided with an external thread, and the smooth-walled, secondrecess 11.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the two recesses 8,11 and the guide grooves 13 are located in mutually parallel walls 16which are at a distance from each other and can be formed, for example,by means of angled portions. A jewelry insert 4 can be inserted into theintermediate space between the two mutually parallel walls 16 and can besecurely fastened by the fastening pin 7.

FIGS. 4 and 6 show that the fastening pin 7 is provided over virtuallyits entire length, i.e. in particular over more than half of its length,with the external thread 14. Since the external thread 14 interacts withthe internal thread in the first recess 8 via which the fastening pin 7is screwed into the material of the jewelry body, a relatively longscrewing operation is required in order to fully introduce the fasteningpin 7 into the material of the ring. Since, at the transition betweenthe external thread 14 and the section 15 of reduced diameter, thefastening pin forms a shoulder 17 which acts as a screw-in stop, aninadvertent release of the fastening pin 7 can only take place in thereverse direction, i.e. would require the fastening pin 7 to beinadvertently rotated back over the entire length of the external thread14 or be loosened by means of rotation. This long process of releasingthe fastening pin 7 does not happen without being noticed, particularlysince the fastening pin 7 would, in the process, have to move out of thematerial of the jewelry body 1 for a considerable length, which is ruledout. An unintentional release of the jewelry insert in the form of thesetting 4 from the jewelry body 1, which is designed here as a ring, istherefore ruled out.

The illustration of FIG. 7 clarifies by way of example that the jewelryinsert 4 which is fastened according to the invention can have differentshapes, for example the shape of a sphere, a circular cylinder or atriangular cylinder.

FIG. 8 clarifies the possible variations for jewelry inserts 4 ofdiffering size. The jewelry inserts illustrated here are of cylindricaldesign with a rectangular cross section of differing widths.

The illustration of FIG. 9 clarifies that use can be made of differentjewelry bodies 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ in order to realize different items ofjewelry with the fastening according to the invention of a jewelryinsert 4. In addition to the ring 1 which has been explained in detail,embodiments of the jewelry body as a bracelet 1′, as pendant 1″ and asstuds 1′″ are illustrated. In all cases, the jewelry insert 4 isfastened according to the invention.

1. Piece of jewelry with a jewelry body (1) and at least one jewelryinsert (4) which has a channel opening (10) into which is inserted afastening pin (7) which, for the purpose of fastening the jewelry insert(4) in the jewelry body (1), protrudes out of the jewelry insert (4) atleast one end and into a first recess (8) of the jewelry body (1),characterized in that the first recess (8) is a threaded passage holethrough which the fastening pin (7), which is designed as a rigidthreaded pin, can be screwed and, by means of a section (9) whichprotrudes through the threaded passage hole (8), protrudes into thechannel opening (10).
 2. Piece of jewelry according to claim 1,characterized in that the channel opening (10) of the jewelry insert (4)is a passage opening, and in that the fastening pin (7) protrudes into asecond recess (11) of the jewelry body (1) by means of an end (15) whichprotrudes through the jewelry insert (4).
 3. Piece of jewelry accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the second recess (11) is ofsmooth-walled design.
 4. Piece of jewelry according to claim 2,characterized in that the end (15) which protrudes through the jewelryinsert (4) is designed with a reduced diameter, and in that the secondrecess (11) has a correspondingly reduced diameter in relation to thepassage channel opening (10) of the jewelry insert (4).
 5. Piece ofjewelry according to claim 4, characterized in that the shoulder (17)formed by the reduction in diameter forms a screw-in stop for thefastening pin (7).
 6. Piece of jewelry according to claim 1,characterized in that the threaded pin (7) is provided with its thread(14) over at least half of its length.
 7. Piece of jewelry according toclaim 1, characterized in that the fastening pin (7) is provided on oneend side with an actuating device (8).
 8. Piece of jewelry according toclaim 7, characterized in that the actuating device is an engagementslot (8) for a screw driver.
 9. Piece of jewelry according claim1,_characterized in that the fastening pin (7) can be fully screwed atthe end provided with the actuating device into the first recess (8).10. Piece of jewelry according to claim 1, characterized in that thejewelry insert (4) is of cylindrical design with a cylinder axis (6) andcan be inserted into a corresponding, concentric, cylindrical receivingopening (2) of the jewelry body (1), and in that the channel opening(10) is oriented perpendicularly to the cylinder axis (6).
 11. Piece ofjewelry according to claim 10, characterized in that the cylindricaljewelry insert (4) and the cylindrical opening (2) are designed in sucha manner that the jewelry insert (4) is mounted in a rotationally fixedmanner in the opening (2).
 12. Piece of jewelry according to claim 1,characterized in that the jewelry body (1) has at least one flange-likeangled portion (16) in which the threaded passage hole (8) is located.13. Piece of jewelry according to claim 12, characterized in that afurther flange-like angled portion (16) which is parallel to the angledportion and has the second recess (11) is provided.